f85x 


IC-NR 


SB    275 


Q/  •     x     >"9f/ 

cfKtl>&?"£wy  sOr       'LJ&fa 

^     /  y 


</, 


Tyo 


rV 

So/ntal  B 


PADRE  "JfNIPEKO  SERRA. 


STEPHCI 


JUIMIPERO    SERRA 


THE  PLANTING  OF  THE  CROSS 


A  SKETCH 


BY 


FRANCIS  DE  S^LtiS  GLlfcBE,  0.  F.  M. 

'  '>**•> 


WRITTEN 

FOR  THE  BICENTENARY 
OF  THE  BIRTH  OF 

JUNIPERO  SERRA,  0.  F.  M. 

Founder  of  the  California  Missions 
CELEBRATED  AT 

SANTA  BARBARA,  CALIFORNIA 

November  24th,  1913 


THE  PLANTING  OF  THE  CROSS 


864348 


PADRE   JUNIPERO   SERRA,  President  of 

the  California  Missions. 
DON  FELIPE  NEVE,  Governor  of  California. 

Officers  and  Soldiers  who  comprised 
Father  Serra's  bodyguard  on  the  2\st  day 
of  April,  1782,  when  first  he  raised  the 
standard  of  the  cross  in  Santa  Barbara. 

JOSE  FRANCISCO  ORTEGA,  Captain. 

PABLO  COTA,  First  Lieutenant. 

DARIO  ARGUELLO,  Second  Lieutenant. 

JOSE  CARILLO,  First  Sergeant. 

JOSE  MARIA  ORTEGA,  Second  Sergeant. 

IGNACIO  OLIVERA,  Third  Sergeant. 

PEDRO  AMADOR,  Fvrst  Corporal. 

JOSE  IGNACIO  RODRIGUEZ,  Second  Corporal. 


PRIVATE  SOLDIERS  (Soldados  de  Cuera). 


Juan  Franco  Soto, 
Anastasio  Felix, 
Rosaline  Fernandez, 
Eugenio  Valdez, 
Juan  Jose  Lobo, 
Guillermo  Soto, 
Juan  Dominguez, 
Luis  Lugo, 
Vincente  Villa, 
Juan  Leyva, 
Francisco  Garcia, 
Juan  Romero, 


Felipe  Gonzales, 
Salvador  Cervantes, 
Juan  Villa, 
Ignacio  Rochin, 
Eugenio  Ruiz, 
Tomas  Gonzales, 
Jose  Lugo, 
Isidro  German, 
Joaquin  Rodriguez, 
Jose  Flores, 
Luis  Pena, 
Manuel  Machado, 


Manuel  Valenzuela, 
Jose  Ruiz, 
Juan  Valencia, 
Tadeo  Sanchez, 
Mariano  Cota, 
Martin  Reyes, 
Jose  Ayala, 
Vincente  Suijada, 
Jose  Valenzuela, 
Jose  Martinez, 
Juan  Ballesteres, 
Jose  Valdez. 


Jose  Callixto, 
Hilario  Carlon, 
Rafael  Gerardo, 


INDIAN  SOLDIERS. 


Jose  Loreto, 
Marcos  Varela, 
Manuel  Orcha, 


Pedro  Ramon, 
Jose  Salazar, 
Luis  Yaquis 


PLANTING  THE  CROSS 


The  Planting  of  The  Cross. 


SCENE  1. 

Procession;  Stttlera,  Soldiers,  Officers,  last,  vested  in 
alb  and  stole,  Junipero  Serra,  who  proceeds  to  bless  the 
new  land. 


V.  ^UE  help  is  in  the  name  of  the  Lord. 

R.  ^s     Who  made  heaven  and  earth. 

V.  O  Lord,  hear  my  prayer. 

&•  And  let  my  cry  come  unto  Thee. 

V.  The  Lord  be  with  you. 

R*  And  with  thy  spirit. 

Let  us  pray. 

Bless  ff4  O  Lord,  Almighty  God,  this  place; 
that  in  it  may  be  health,  chastity,  victory, 
strength,  humility,  goodness  and  meekness,  the 
fulness  of  the  law,  and  thanksgiving  to  God 
the  Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Ghost  ;  and  let  Thy 
blessing  remain  upon  this  place,  and  upon  them 
that  dwell  therein  now  and  for  ever.  Amen. 

The  settlers  raise  and  firm  set  the  new  cross  which  Padre 
Junipero  proceeds  to  bless. 


11 


THE  CROSS 


V.   Our  help  is  in  the  name  of  the  Lord. 

R.    Who  made  heaven  and  earth. 

V.   O  Lord,  hear  my  prayer. 

R.    And  let  my  cry  come  unto  Thee. 

V.    The  Lord  be  with  you. 

R.    And  with  thy  spirit. 

Let  us  pray. 

We  beseech  Thee,  O  holy  Lord,  Father  Al 
mighty,  Eternal  God,  that  Thou  wouldst  vouch 
safe  to  bless  ijl  this  sign  of  the  cross;  that  it 
may  be  a  remedy  for  the  human  race,  a  bulwark 
of  faith,  increase  of  good  works  and  salvation 
of  souls;  be  it  a  solace  and  a  protection,  and 
a  shield  against  the  cruel  shafts  of  the  enemy. 
Through  Christ  our  Lord.  R.  Amen. 

Bless,  dB  O  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  this  cross,  by 
which  Thou  didst  wrest  the  world  from  the 
power  of  the  evil  spirits  and  by  Thy  Passion 
didst  overcome  the  author  of  sin  who  rejoiced 
in  the  prevarication  and  the  fall  of  the  first 
man  through  the  eating  of  the  forbidden  tree; 
may  this  sign  of  the  cross  be  sanctified  in  the 
name  of  the  Father,  >J«  and  of  the  Son,  ^  and 
of  the  Holy  »J<  Ghost;  that  those  who  for  God's 
sake  pray  and  bow  before  it  may  enjoy  health 
of  body  and  soul.  Through  Christ  our  Lord. 
R.  Amen. 

12 


* 

AT 

SANTA 

BARBARA 

!<# 

SERRA'S  SERMON. 

Ecce  crucem  Domini, 

Fugite,  partes  adversae; 

Vicit  Leo  de  tribu  Juda, 

Radix  David.     Alleluja, 
Behold  the  cross  of  Christ,  flee,  counter 

powers ; 

The  Lion  overcame  of  Juda's  tribe, 
The  Root  of  David.     Praise  the  Lord. 

My  honored  countrymen  and  most  dear 

children, 

Blessed  are  we  today  to  witness  here 
And  celebrate  the  newest  victory 
Of  our  great  King  and  Leader,  Christ  the  Lord. 
Behold  the  cross,  the  banner  of  God's  might ! 
'Tis  lifted  high  in  triumph  to  the  skies, 
Unfolding  glorious  conquests  made — of  souls 
Gained  by  that  Blood  which  flowed  from  veins 

divine, 

And  ruddied  o'er  and  o'er  the  banner's  furls. 
The  saving  wood  is  raised  to  extend  its  arms 
In  blessing  and  in  loving  invitation : 


PLANTING  THE  CROSS 


Calling  to  rest  poor  aimless  wanderers, 
Shedding  sweet  light  upon  a  groping  race, 
And  giving  life  to  famished  souls  who  ne'er 
Have  tasted  of  the  tree  of  life. — 
Flee,  adverse  powers !  a  stronger  power  has 

come. 

Be  ye  dispelled,  dark  shades  of  death !  a  light 
Rises  unto  the  nations.     A  budding  morn 
Now  blows  to  open  day.     Soon,  soon  shall  shine 
The  Sun  of  Justice,  and  reign  above  in  heaven, 
The  Brightness  of  Eternal  Light. — Hail,  Life ! 
Now,  death,  where  is  thy  victory !     O  death, 
Where  is  thy  sting !     Praise  God  who  through 

His  Son 

Gave  us  to  fight  and  win,  through  Jesus  Christ, 
Our  Saviour  God.- — 

The  Lion  strong  of  Juda's  tribe  hath  conquered  : 
Depart  then,  hellish  wolf,  to  thy  grim  lair, 
Thou  shalt  not  snatch  the  lambs  from  out  the 

fold. 

Good  Shepherd,  they  are  Thine.    Oh  let  no  more 
The  enemy  wrench  from  Thy  grasp  the  prize 
Which  Thou  didst  win  in  that  great  bitter  fight. 
Thou  art  the  Lion  that  hath  overcome, 
The  promised  Great  One  of  great  Juda's  tribe, 
Thou  art  the  Root  of  David,  David's  son, 

14 


AT    SANTA    BARBARA 


Whilom  foretold  the  Bringer  of  Salvation, 
The  Holy  One,  the  Anointed  of  the  Lord, 
The  Saviour  of  Thy  people,  the  Light  and  Life 
Of  all  the  world.— 

Bend  we  our  knees,  O  brethren,  and  adore 
This  sign  of  faith,  and  anchor  of  our  hope, 
And  pledge  of  charity.     Pray  we  our  God 
To  prosper  this  new  land,  and  send  His  grace 
In  fulness  on  our  work.     Combine  we  then 
To  give  our  strength  to  what  we've  here  begun. 
Let's  labor  wholly  for  religion's  cause : 
Seek  we  no  glory  but  our  God's,  no  gain 
But  souls,  immortal  souls.     And  even  so 
We'll  work  most  honor  to  our  gracious  king, 
Do  filial  service  to  our  country's  name 
And  stretch  the  sway  of  our  illustrious  Spain. — 
In  this  sign  shall  we  conquer : — Then  hold  we 

fast 

The  cross  of  Christ.     In  it  alone  is  light, 
In  it  alone  salvation.     The  cross  alone 
Will  keep  us  safe  on  th'  Highway  of  the  King, 
Lift  up  the  eternal  mansion's  golden  gates, 
Escort  us  to  the  Lamb  that  is  the  light 
Thereof,  and  set  us  'fore  the  throne  of  Him 
Who  reigns  the  King  of  Ages  and  the  Lord 

of  all.— 

15 


PLANTING  THE  CROSS 


Brave  cavaliers,  knights  of  the  cross,  brethren, 
Oft  have  I  prayed  to  do  what  now  is  done  : 
Long  years  my  soul  hath  yearned  here  on  this 

ground, 

In  Santa  Barbara's  honor  named,  to  plant 
The  cross  of  Christ,  and  build  a  Mission  burgh, 
To  make  men  citizens  with  Saints,  and  God's 
Domestics,  built  on  Apostolic  base, 
Whose  corner-stone  is  Jesus  Christ,  the  Lord. 
Praise  God  with  me,  my  children,  my  cry  is 

heard, 

Fill  full  your  hearts  with  jubilee,  and  raise 
Your  hands  in  thankful  prayer.     Come,  let's 

adore, 
And  prostrate  kneel,  and  hymn  a  song  of  praise. 

ALABADO 

Ala.ba.do,  y  ensa.lza.do,  Yet  Bendito  San  Joseph, 

Sea.  el  Divino  Sacramento,  Electo  por  Dlos  inmenso 

En  quien  Dios  octtlio  asiste,  Para.  Padre  Esiimativo 

De  tag  Almas  el  sastento.  De  sa  Hijo  el  Divtno  Verbo. 

Y  la.  limpla  Conception,  Esto  es  por  todos  los  siglos, 

De  la  Reyna  de  los  Cielos,  Y  de  los  siglos  Amen. 

Oue  quedando  Virgen  Para,  Amen  Jesus  y  Maria, 

Es  Madre  del  Verbo  Eterno.  Je*us,  Maria,  y  Joseph. 


16 


AT    SANTA    BARBARA          J& 
J __ ! • 


Adorote  Santa  Cruz, 
Puesta  en  el  Monte  Cakva.no, 
En  ti  mttrfo  mi  Jesus. 
Para  darme  eterna  luz, 
Ylibrarme  del  Contrario. 

0  dulcisimo  Jesusl 
Yo  te  doy  mi  corazon, 
Para  que  estampes  en  el 
Tu  santisima  Pasion. 

Madre  llena  de  dolor, 
Hazed,  que  quando  espiremos 


Nuestras  Almas  entreguemos, 
En  las  manos  del  Senor. 


Quien  a  Dios  quiere  seguir, 
Y  en  su  gloria,  quiere  entrar, 
Una  cosa  ha  de  asentar, 
Y  de  corazon  decir, 
Ante*  morir,  que  pecar; 
Antes  que  pecar  morir.. 

V.    Ave  Maria. 

R.     En  gracia  concebida. 


IT 


I       PLANTING  THE  CROSS 


SCENE  2. 

The  Presidio  site.    Settlers  and  Soldiers  lounging. 
1   SOLDIER 


QLO  W  work,  neighbors,  slow  work  ! 

•  2   SOLDIER 

And  bad  work  too  ! 

3   SOLDIER 

Do  look  at  it  !     The  Captain  cannot  praise 
Such  bungling  work. 

1  SETTLER 

We  look  not  for  his  praise, 
As  you  do,  self  appointed  critic. 

2  SOLDIER 

Call  you 
This  botching  work? 

3  SOLDIER 

So  ill  matched  with  the  site  ! 

2  SOLDIER 

But  well  matched  with  their  efforts  :  both  mere 
spurts. 

3  SOLDIER 

They  need  a  sharp  rebuke  to  prick  them  on. 


18 


AT    SANTA    BARBARA 


3   SETTLER 

Spare  your  flings,  stupid  censor,  they're  aimed 
amiss. 

2   SETTLER 

There  were  no  need  of  reprimand  did  not 
The  soldiers  fear  to  soil  their  hands. 

1  SETTLER 

Indeed, 

'Twere  better  you  fell  to  with  pick  and  axe 
In  place  of  flinging  taunts  and  grinning  sneers. 

2  SETTLER 

Or  fondling  your  dull  swords  and  trimming  fine 
Your  gaudy  uniforms. 

2   SOLDIER 

Forbid  your  tongue, 
Churl,  or  I'll  stop  it  with  my  fist. 

2   SETTLER 

Away, 
You  upstart,  put  your  fist  to  useful  work. 

2   SOLDIER 

Insult  more,  I'll  soil  my  hands  with  your  blood. 

2  SETTLER 

Go  vent  your  threats  on  cowards,  I  fear  you  not. 

19 


PLANTING  THE  CROSS 


2  SOLDIER 

You  challenge  so  my  wrath?     Then  stand  and 

fight, 
You  vulgar  peasant. 

Serra  enters. 
SERRA 

Forbear,  my  children,  forbear  ;  what  is  between 
you? 

2  SOLDIER 

This  bumpkin  has  insulted  our  profession, 
And  he  must  pay  for  it. 

2  SETTLER 

And  he  must  pay 
For  rating  and  insulting  me. 
SERRA 

Be  calm. 

2   SETTLER 

What  right  have  these  to  give  rebukes? 

1  SETTLER 

Let  them  reproach  themselves,  who  all  the  day 
Sit  idly  by  whilst  we  must  work. 

2  SETTLER 

Who  play 
And  drink  and  sleep  away  the  time. 


20 


AT    SANTA    BARBARA 


2   SOLDIER 

Coward ! 

And  liar !     Are  we  not  his  Majesty's  men? 
And  soldiers  of  his  Excellency  Felipe  Neve? 

SERRA 
Allay  your  anger.     I  pray  you,  children,  break 

not 
Sweet  charity's  law.     Remember  we  left  our 

home 

To  bring  the  peace  of  God  to  those  who  still 
In  darkness  sit  and  shades  of  death, — our  poor 
Unfortunate  brethren,  no  less  than  we  redeemed 
By  Christ's  atoning  death.     How  then  shall  we 
Make  good  our  noble  purpose  if  thus  we  break 
The  peace  among  ourselves? — Brother,  forgive 
The  insult.  Forget  the  assault,  brother,  for  love 
Of  Him  who  dying  prayed  for  deicides. 
Be  reconciled  for  love  of  Him  whose  Gospel 
Of  kind  forgiveness  we  have  come  to  announce 
By  word  and  deed.— Here  comes  our  honorable 

Captain. 

Ortega  enters. 
ORTEGA 

The  trouble,  Father  Presidente? 

21 


I       PLANTING  THE  CROSS 


SERRA 

AlFs  well  again ;  a  few  ill  tempered  words 
Which  cooled  as  fast  as  they  grew  hot. 

ORTEGA 

'Tis  well. 

SERRA 

The  work  progresses.     How  good !     The  field 

is  fair, 
Is  't  not,  Senor,  to  start  the  Mission  now? 

ORTEGA 

That,  Padre,  his  Excellency  will  judge; 
No  word  from  him  has  yet  come  to  the  men. 

SERRA 

I  will  remind  the  Governor ;  there  seems 
No  cause  for  more  delay.    Heaven  prospers  well 
The  present  work ;  may  't  bless  as  well 

what's  yet 

To  do.     Fair  Santa  Barbara's  soil  will  sprout 
The  flower  of  all  the  fairest  in  the  wreath 
Of  Missions  that  with  glory  and  honor  crowns 
Our  lovely  California's  sunny  brow. 

Serra  goes  out 
ORTEGA 

Well,  companions,  how  far  is  work  advanced? 

22 


AT    SANTA    BARBARA 


1   SETTLER 

See,  Captain  for  yourself. 

ORTEGA 

Done  well  enough. 

1  SOLDIER 

Enough  to  merit  rest  awhile ;  yet  now 
The  further  task  doth  press — the  Mission 

buildings. 

ORTEGA 

That  urges  not :  the  Governor's  not  inclined, 
Though  nothing  hinders  him  to  set  the  task. 

2  SOLDIER 

I  thank  the  Governor. 

3  SOLDIER 

So  do  we  all. 

2    SOLDIER 

The  Padre  is  much  too  careful  for  the  redskins. 
Look  we  to  our  comfort  first,  then  to  the  needs 
Of  th'  heathen  savage. 

ORTEGA 

However  it  be,  await 

His  Excellency's  command.  Meanwhile  to  work ! 
'Tis  past  the  hour  of  rest.  Complete  your  task, 
And  earn  the  Governor's  praise  who'll  soon 

be  here 
To  view  and  plaud  your  faithful  service. 

23 


PLANTING  THE  CROSS 


SCENE  3. 

Serra  enters. 
3ERRA 

O  much  is  done,  thank  God.     The  cross 

stands  firm 

On  new  blest  ground  ;  the  garrison  builds  fast. 
It  now  remains  the  fortress  strong  to  raise 
Where  God  His  tabernacle  rears  with  men, 
Where  Angel  spirits  hold  a  sleepless  guard, 
And  weary  souls  find  rest  and  strength  and  life. 
This  little  chapel  serves  a  present  need, 
But  better  room  and  larger  space  must  soon 
Be  had  to  gather  souls  into  the  Fold. 
What  a  favored  site  !     More  charming  yet 
Than  San  Buenaventura  by  the  sea. 
May  Santa  Barbara's  Mission  rise  to  excel 
In  size  and  beauty  the  first  of  Channel 

Missions, 

And  grow  to  flowering  health  beyond  the  rest. 
The  chain  is  strengthened  by  another  link, 
The  line  will  soon  be  full.     O  how  great  thanks 
Are  due  to  God  !     The  harvest  ripens  more 
And  more;  if  but  the  Lord  send  laborers  now 
To  reap  and  earner  home  the  store. 

He  kneilt. 
24 


AT    SANTA    BARBARA 


Indians  enter;  they  come  to  Serra  and  show  him  beads;  th 
Padre  caresses  them  and  dismisses  them  with  his  bless 
ing. 

The  children  cry  for  bread.     Speed  God  our 

work 
That  soon  these  babes  may  sate  their  hungering 

souls. 

0  Master,  lover  Thou  of  little  ones, 

Hasten  the  time :  give  them  the  faith  that  makes 
them  Thine  and  forms  them  heirs  of  endless 

life.— 

My  years  on  earth  cannot  be  many  more, 
Yet  what  is  left  to  me,  O  God,  of  life 

1  dedicate,  each  moment  I  devote 

To  Thee,  my  Lord,  to  labor  in  Thy  vineyard, 

Heavenly  Husbandman,  till  th'  evening  comes 

When  Thou  wilt  call  the  laborer  to  his  rest 

And  mete  to  him  a  just  reward. — 

I  must  go  press  the  Governor  to  start 

The  Mission  buildings  and  the  church.     He'll 

not 

Defer  the  task  beyond  the  need,  I  trust. 
Yet,  though  I  find  rebuke,  I  shall  not  flag : 
Heaven's  designs  will  not  be  foiled :  no  work 
Is  born  but  in  travail,  none  reared  and  wrought 

25 


PLANTING  THE  CROSS 


To  end  but  in  the  crucible  of  pain. 
'Tis  true,  O  God,  heavy  may  lie  the  cross 
Upon  Thine  own ;  yet  strong  art  Thou  who  first 
The  cross  didst  bear  and  on  its  wood  expire 
To  give  us  might  to  bear  the  weight,  yea  die 
As  Thou,   if  so  it  please  Thy  blessed  Will. 

He  kneel*. 


26 


AT    SANTA    BARBARA        | 


SCENE  4. 

Ortega  ait»  reading.    Neve  enters. 
ORTEGA 

T?  ESPECTFUL  greetings,  Gobernador. 

NEVE 

And  mine 

To  you.     What  read  you,  Commandante? 
ORTEGA 

The  first 
Record  of  our  new  colony. 

NEVE 

By  whom? 

ORTEGA 

The  Father  Presidente. 

NEVE 

And  tells? 

ORTEGA 

Of  Santa  Barbara's  spiritual  birth. 
NEVE 

You  mean — 

ORTEGA 

The  planting  of  the  cross. 

27 


PLANTING  THE  CROSS 


NEVE 

Bead  it,  Senor. 

ORTEGA 

So  7t  please  your  Excellency.  Reads 

LIVE  JESUS   MARY   JOSEPH. 

Book  I  of  Baptisms,  wherein  are  recorded  the 
names  of  those  who  were  Christianized  in  this 
new  and  royal  Presidio  of  Santa  Barbara, Virgin 
and  Martyr.  Under  the  administration  of  the 
Rev.  Fathers  Missionaries  Apostolic  of  the  Col 
lege  of  the  Propagation  of  the  Faith,  of  San 
Fernando,  Mexico,  of  the  Order  of  our  Father 
Saint  Francis  of  the  Observance. 

FOUNDED 

By  the  request  and  command  of  the  Catholic 
King  of  Spain  and  the  Indies,  His  Majesty, 
Charles  III,  (whom  may  God  ever  prosper), 
Santa  Barbara  Channel,  in  the  new  and  su 
perior  California  situate  in  the  same  mainland 
and  coast,  our  actual  Guardian  being,  for  the 
second  time,  the  Rev.  Fr.  Lector,  Francis 
Pangua. 


28 


AT    SANTA    BARBARA 


AND  COMMENCED 

on  the  third  Sunday  after  Easter,  the  feast  of 
the  Patronage  of  St.  Joseph,  Patriarch,  spouse 
of  Holy  Mary,  April  21st, 

IN   THE  YEAR  OF  OUR  LORD   1782 

on  which  day,  I,  the  undersigned  Fr.  Junipero 
Serra,  President  of  these  Missions  among  infi 
dels,  of  said  and  by  said  College  Apostolic, 
having  arranged  all  necessary  preliminaries  in 
a  chapel  made  of  brush  and  decorated  as  best 
the  circumstances  permitted,  blessed  water  and 
with  it  dedicated  the  land  to  God  our  Lord. 
We  then  raised  a  large  and  high  cross,  which 
we  venerated,  and  I  thereupon  celebrated  the 
Holy  Sacrifice  of  the  Mass  for  the  first  time 
in  these  lands  and  preached  a  sermon  appro 
priate  to  the  occasion.  Owing  to  the  absence 
of  an  assistant,  it  was  necessarily  a  low  Mass, 
and,  for  the  same  reason,  the  service  was  con 
cluded  with  the  Alabado  instead  of  the  Te 
Deum. 

May  it  be  for  the  glory  of  God,  the  propaga 
tion  of  the  faith,  and  the  welfare  of  souls. 


GJTjU^C^ 


PLANTING  THE  CROSS 


NEVE 

Reads  true  enough. 

ORTEGA 

His  first  entry. 

NEVE 

Perhaps 

HIS  laSt  ORTEGA 

His  last!  why  say  you  so,  Senor? 
Will  he  not  stay  to  found  and  launch  the 

Mission? 

NEVE 

I  think  he  '11  not  abide  my  time  and  order. 

ORTEGA 

You  mean  then  to  put  off  the  work? 

NEVE 

I  do. 

ORTEGA 

But  he  '11  insist. 

NEVE 

Insist !  he  '11  fret  in  vain. 

ORTEGA 

A  heavy  trial  for  his  zealous  soul. 

30 


AT    SANTA    BARBARA        |  ^  \ 


NEVE 

I'll  teach  him  prudent  zeal  and  patience. 
'Tis  time  the  Friars  learned  who's  Governor 
Of  California.     I  grow  aweary 
Of  pert  demands  and  hence  shall  grudge  to 

yield 
To  boring  mendicants. 

ORTEGA 

But,  Governor, 
The  Colorado  Massacra — 

NEVE 

I  catch 

The  shaft,  but  break  its  point.     No,  no,  Captain, 
Think  not  that  one  defeat  discomfits  me. 
It  takes  far  more  to  unnerve  Felipe  Neve. 

S«rra  enters. 
SERRA 

My  greetings,  Gobernador; — Commandante. 
Your  Excellency  will  guess  my  suit  before 
I  speak  it.     Is't  not  full  time  to  break  the 

ground? 

The  rest  is  all  in  progress,  what  hinders  then 
The  most  important  work  of  all — the  Mission? 


31 


PLANTING  THE  CROSS 


NEVE 

That,  Padre,  belongs  to  me  to  know,  and  say. 
Know  then,  no  Mission  shall  be  founded  here 
Till  the  Presidio  is  completed. 

8ERRA 

Then  am  I  needless  here.     There's  much  to  do, 
And  little  time  to  do  it.     I  will  pass 
To  Monterey,  and  spend  what  yet  remains 
Of  strength  to  me  in  tilling  tenderer  soil. 
To  work  the  new  less  yielding  ground  requires 
New  hands  and  vigorous  strength,  the  which, 
I  pray,  may  God  in  time  provide.     Myself 
Shall  leave,  but  Father  Dumet  shall  come  to 

serve 
Your  souls.     The  love  of  Christ  doth  press 

me  on. 

He  goes  out, 
ORTEGA 

Teach  that  man  patience?     How  calmly  he  bore 
the  trial! 

NEVE 

Bear  't  as  he  may,  't  is  good  he's  gone,  the 

remnant, 

The  last,  I  hope,  of  a  decrepid  system 
That  has  survived  too  long. 


32 


AT    SANTA    BARBARA 


ORTEGA 

Say  what  you  will, 

God  knows  he  is  a  tried  and  saintly  soul  ; 
And  if  a  better  system  will  supplant 
His  own  is  doubtful  yet,  —  that,  time  must  show. 

NEVE 

Right,  and  time  will  show  it  very  soon.  — 
Captain,  I  will  review  the  work  tomorrow  : 
Have  all  in  readiness.     Till  then,  adios! 

ORTEGA 

Adios,  Gobernador,  adios  ! 


PLANTING  THE  CROSS 


SCENE  5. 

Serra  kneeling  at  the  Cross. 
8ERRA 

WE  adore  Thee,  O  Christ,  and  praise  Thee, 
Because  by  Thy  Cross  thou  hast  redeemed 

the  world. 

Yes,  faithful  cross,  by  Thee  the  world  is  saved, 
By  Thee  too  every  soul  is  shaped  unto 
Its  Saviour  a  vessel  of  His  grace 
And  clean  abode  of  His  enduring  love, 
O  Master  Crucified  !  how  shall  I  thank 
For  this  Thy  newest  token?     I  am  not  worthy 
To  suffer  so  for  Thee;  yet  do  I  beg 
Most  humbly,  Lord,  accept  my  worthless  gift 
In  reparation  for  my  sins,  and  turn 
My  disappointment  into  joy  for  Thee 
By  calling  worthier  workers  to  this  field, 
Who'll  slake  Thy  burning  thirst,  my  dying 

Lord, 
For  souls  redeemed  by  Thy  most  Precious 

Blood.— 

'T  is  true,  I  merit  not  to  see  my  hope 
And  ardent  wish  fulfilled.     Enough  for  me 
That  I  have  sown  the  seed  ;  another  hand 


34 


AT    SANTA    BARBARA 


Will  water  the  plant  when  it  shall  please 
Sweet  Providence  to  let  it  sprout,  and  God 
Will  give  Himself  th'  increase  and  cull  the 

fruit- 
Enough  for  me,  indeed,  more  than  enough. 
Yet  toil  I  will,  yet  labor  hard  I  must, 
For  woe  is  me  if  I  preach  not  the  Gospel : 
To  preach  Christ  Crucified  is  my  one  claim 
To  live,  if  claim  can  be  where  all  is  grace 
And  nothing  is  desert, — To  Carlos  Mission, 
The  loved  of  my  heart,  I  will  return, 
And  there  work  on  until  the  final  call. 
Unworthy  I  to  see,  or  say,  what  yet 
This  Virgin  Martyr's  ground  will  grow  in  time. 
Why  may  not  Santa  Barbara's  Mission  be 
A  nursery  of  godly  men  who'll  bring 
To  glorious  spread  and  prosperous  state  the 

Church 

Of  God  and  Kingdom  of  His  Son?     For  me, 
My  life's  sun  hastens  to  its  setting;  soon 
The  still  small  voice  will  speak.     O  may  I  then 
Be  alert  to  hear  its  faintest  tones,  and  answer 
The  summons  of  my  Judge.     And  may  I  find 
Repose  in  my  dear  California's  soil, 


35 


PLANTING  THE  CROSS 


And  Rest  Eternal  in  the  arms  of  God. — 

If  I  am  needful  for  Thy  people's  good, 

Lord,  I  refuse  not  yet  to  work,  albeit 

My  soul  thirsts  for  Thee,  strong  and  living  God, 

I  long  to  be  dissolved  and  live  with  Christ. 


Morning  Press  Print 

Santa   Barbara,  California 

November.  1913 

36 


RETURN 


CIRCULATION  DEPARTMENT 

198  Main  Stacks 


LOAN  PERIOD  1 
HOME  USE 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

ALL  BOOKS  MAY  BE  RECALLED  AFTER  7  DAYS. 

Renewls  and  Recharges  may  be  made  4  days  prior  to  the  due  date. 

Books  may  be  Renewed  by  calling  642-3405. 

DUE  AS  STAMPED  BELOW 


DEC 


FORM  NO.  DD6 


UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA,  BERKELEY 
BERKELEY  CA  94720-6000 


PAT.  JAN.  21,  1908 


864348 


THE  UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  LIBRARY 


